Jennifer, Ray, and Egon pulled up to Hadley's Ranch in Clark's pickup. A nervous looking man with a red sweaty face was waiting out in the driveway for them. "It-it's in the back thirty!" Mr. Hadley stuttered. "It's huge! It's got these giant ears and red eyes!"
"Don't worry, Mr. Hadley," said Jennifer. "We'll have the beast rounded up before he mutilates too much livestock." Mr. Hadley winced.
Out in the pasture, a wolfish looking beast was running about, snapping at the cows. True to the reports, it was big and very scary.
Jennifer gulped at the sight of it. No childhood campfire tales could've prepared for this. "So…that trap sounds like a good idea right about now."
"Alright!" declared Ray. It always got him excited when he got to capture a new creature. "Let's trap that hellhound!"
The three marched out into the field toward the monster. "I just hope we don't get turned into puppy chow," Jennifer muttered.
The chupacabra's ears pricked up as it sensed the Ghostbusters walking toward it. It whipped around, snarling and foaming from the mouth.
"Now!" Ray yelled. The three of them fired their streams at the demon dog.
The chupacabra yelped as one of the streams nearly got his tail. He galloped away. "After him!" yelled Ray.
The three ran after the dog across the field. Finally, they cornered him up against the wire fence.
"End of the line, pooch," said Ray.
The chupacabra's eyes darted from person to person. There had to be a way out! So he took a chance-and nipped Jennifer on the leg.
"Ow!" Jennifer grabbed her leg and fell to the ground.
"Jennifer!" Egon exclaimed as he and Ray bent down to the ground. The chupacabra saw its chance and took off across the field. "Are you alright?"
Jennifer clenched her teeth as she pulled herself to her feet. "Yeah. Now let's get that damn dog!"
The chupacabra had run back among the cattle. "Egon," said Ray worriedly. "I'm not sure if it would be safe for the cows to shoot in such close proximity."
"Agreed," said Egon. "We need a 'dry' method to restrain the organism."
Jennifer's eyes lit up. "I've got an idea!" she exclaimed. With that, she shrugged off her pack and took off across the field toward the barn.
"Where are you going?" Ray yelled after her.
"To get a 'dry' method!" she yelled back as she disappeared into the barn.
Ray looked at Egon. "What does she mean by that?"
"I don't know," said Egon. "But I think we better herd the chupacabra out of the cattle."
The two chased the dog back out into open space. "Well, now what?" Ray called.
"I don't know-" Egon's words were cut off by a loud "YEEEEE-HAAAAAH!" and the galloping of hooves.
The two men whirled around to see Jennifer in a cowboy hat riding a large horse coming toward them. She was twirling a lasso in her hand.
Egon's mouth dropped open. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
Jennifer, with a determined grin on her face, let out a yell of, "Get along, little doggie!"
The horse sped toward the chupacabra. Jennifer flailed her lasso with expertise. The rope flew through the air and looped itself around the dog's neck.
"Now, Ray! The trap!" Jennifer yelled back at the dumbstruck pair.
Ray shook his head slightly and ran over with the physio-trap. He tossed on the ground. Jennifer dragged the dog over to the trap as if she was talking him for a walk. Ray stomped on the pedal. With a loud pitiful whine, the dog momentarily turned into a blue mist and was whisked into the trap. It closed with a click.
Jennifer looked at the empty rope in her hand and grinned. "I think that's that."
"Jennifer," said Ray in awe. "Where'd you learn to ride like that?"
Jennifer gave him a look. "I'm from Texas. You really need to ask that question?"
Egon came running up. "Good work. Very inventive way of apprehending the chupacabra, Jennifer."
"Thanks, brainiac," said Jennifer. "Can I get some help down now?"
Egon stepped forward and held out his arms. Jennifer swung her leg over the side of the horse and eased herself down. Egon hesitantly placed his hands on Jennifer's waist and assisted her to the ground.
"So, Jen," said Ray, gesturing to her head. "What's the hat about?"
Jennifer giggled, sweeping off the cowboy hat. "I figured if I was gonna make an ass out of myself, I ought to do it whole hog."
"What about that bite?" asked Ray. "Egon, is a chupacabra bite dangerous?"
"I don't think so," said Egon. "While chupacabras manifest in wolf form, they don't infect the victim like the werewolf. Beyond basic first aid, the bite shouldn't need any special treatment."
"Hey!" The Ghostbusters looked up to see that Mr. Hadley, Clark, Aunt Jessie, and a few other locals had gathered at the fence. "That was some mighty nice work!" called Clark.
"Thanks, cuz," said Jennifer to the spectators. "Your demon dog is history."
"Any of my cows hurt?" fretted Mr. Hadley.
"No sir, all the cattle are safe and sound," Ray reassured the farmer.
"Hey, fella!" called Clark to Egon. "Why don't you give our Jenny Ruth a kiss?"
Egon froze. He slowly turned to Jennifer, giving her a look as if to ask, Should I?
Jennifer shrugged. She looked amused, but a little awkward as well. "I'm game."
Egon's pale face turned to pink. He gulped, bent down, and quickly pecked Jennifer on the cheek. Ray couldn't help but smile, and there were a few chuckles from the locals. "Can't say the boy's too fast," mused Aunt Jessie.
Jennifer smiled at Egon and turned to her aunt. "I guess since the beast is gone, we better head back to New York."
"Don't ya'll wanna stay for supper?" asked Aunt Jessie.
"Well…okay," said Ray. Everyone laughed now.
"It was real nice having you home, puddin'," said Aunt Jessie as Jennifer, Ray, Egon made ready to board the plane home.
"Thanks, Aunt Jess," said Jennifer. "Maybe I can come back sometime that's not paranormally related."
Aunt Jessie laughed. "Lord knows that college education your mama was dead set against is sure paying off. You call me every now and then, you hear?"
Jennifer nodded. "I will. I love you, Jessie."
"Love you too, baby." Aunt Jessie pulled her niece into one last hug.
Jennifer waved as she boarded behind her friends. She smiled sadly to herself.
"What is it?" asked Egon, noticing Jennifer's bittersweet expression.
"It's nothing," she said, looking up at him. "It's just that…maybe I do fit in here."
"Of course you do," said Egon.
Jennifer smiled at Egon and unexpectedly kissed him on the cheek.
"Um, Jennifer," said Egon. "We're leaving now. You don't have to pretend that you're my girlfriend anymore."
Jennifer nodded. "I know. That's for being a good friend. Thank you."
Jennifer headed to her seat. Egon put a hand to the cheek that Jennifer had kissed. His cheek surprisingly felt very warm.
"So, Jenny," said Ray as Jennifer sat down beside him. "Are you going to miss this place?"
Jennifer looked out of her window. "Yeah, Ray. I think I will."
